by kcet, los angeles. made possible by the freeman dupont vermont, and honolulu. the newman's own foundation. the john d. and catherine t. macarthur foundation. and union bank.

>> union bank has put its global financial strength to work for a wide range of companies. what can we do for you? >> and now "bbc world news." " said michael jackson's doctor has appeared in court to deny it charge of involuntary- manslaughter in connection with the singer's death. five years after the war and revolution tomlin ukraine turns blue. if viktor yanukovych emerges as likely winner of the presidential election. the defeated candidate in sri lanka'elections is all the way

by the military. very warm welcome to "bbc world news," broadcast to our viewers on pbs in america, also around the globe. my name is mike embley. coming up later for you -- america and france called for strong sanctions as iran declares it is speeding up its nuclear program periods and kenya's new mega port. route to prosperity? i love you. much more on the main international stories in just a moment, the first half -- michael jackson's doctor has pled not guilty to involuntary manslaughter. conrad murray has admitted administering power anesthetic to the singer before he died last june, but he insisted nothing he gave michael jackson should have killed him. bail was set at $75,000. this just in.

>> after months of speculation, dr. conrad murray came to court to face a formal charge of involuntary manslaughter, that he killed his famous patient. he was greeted by michael jackson's fans. "justice for michael," as they shouted. it is a sentiment echoed by jackson's family. they want to know who is to blame for the shocking events of last summer. do i days before he died, michael jackson was filmed doing -- two days before he died, michael jackson was on doing a concert rehearsals. he was roused from his mansion to hospital, oncologist. he never woke up. after his death, a long investigation. the carter said that jackson died from a mixture of -- the doctor said that jackson died from a mixture of said its

including propofol. court documents state that murray used it to treat jackson's insomnia on the day he died. prosecutors want to know if he was recklessly negligent and did that killed a superstar? his lawyers say he did not prescribe any thing that should have killed a star, and murray himself made an unusual internet play. >> i told the truth, and i have faith the truth will prevail. >> in court, dr. mary looked somber and sad little. -- dr. murray looked somber and sad little. he faces up to four years in prison. bbc news, los angeles. >> let's get more on that now. our correspondent is outside the airport branch of la los angeles superior court. there is already up coroner's verdict of homicide. what is to be decided if it goes

to trial? >> what is to be decided is whether dr. conrad murray is responsible for the killing of michael jackson, involuntary manslaughter, which has a term of four years. it is a very complicated case. it surrounds the drugs the doctor was giving michael jackson, complicated by the fact that michael jackson was known to be taking a lot of drugs prescribed by different people, other doctors, over months, indeed years. the question is was dr. conrad very irresponsible? was he reckless with the life of michael jackson? that is essentially the definition of involuntary manslaughter. it does not imply he set out to kill michael jackson. >> people are bound to have been hearing support. i understand that -- bail has been set, but not released.

what is going on with that? >> bail is set at $75,000, which is three times the amount normally set for the crime of manslaughter. the judge taking in account several factors. he lives outside the state of california. he can travel only within the united states. he continued practicing medicine, but he cannot administer any deep anesthetic. those are the rules. it is a potentially complicated situation. what is happening right now is he is being booked into the system. he is having his mug shot taken, fingerprints taken. that is why he is not being immediately released. he will eventually be released on in the next few hours, and he will be back in court april 6 for the next appearance. >> are you getting any idea of when this may come to trial? >> it could be many, many

months. the prosecutors have indicated that this will be a very long haul. april 5, they will set a date for the preliminary hearing. that is a hearing for the judge to look over the evidence, to listen to the witnesses, and to decide whether there is a case. it whether it should go to trial. only once that is over with, it can go to a full trial to jerry. >> thank you for that. let's take you now to ukraine. it is what is being called an impressive display of democracy. the wreck rain -- the ukraine election marks the remarkable comeback of viktor yanukovych . for more than 98% of votes, he is ahead of his rival, prime minister tymoshenko. she may contest the results. if she does not, there is a deep

political divide in the country. but supporters of viktor yanukovych out on the streets here in the capitol, in celebration of the candidate's victory. but the numbers are also swelling outside the election commission for another reason. they are coming to demand that the other candidate, the prime minister tymoshenko must accept defeat. >> these european election observers also mounted the pressure and the prime minister today by announcing the boats had been free and fair. there had not been any fraud. >> it was an impressive display of democratic elections. it is now time for the country's political leaders to listen to

the people and to make sure that the transition of power is peaceful and constructive. >> it has now been an entire day sense viktor yanukovych declared he had won the election. he has been demanding that his rival, ms. tymoshenko, should not only admit that the, but resigned has prime minister. but she is not listening and is still considering whether to challenge to results of the election over allegations of fraud. ms. tymoshenko is in a difficult position. instinctively, she may want to challenge the a election results. but in reality, which the election commission and international observers saying the vote was free and fair, it's hard to see how she can justify

any further delay in accepting defeat. bbc news, kiev. >> united states has expressed concern over news that the defeated opposition candidate in sri lanka's presidential election has been dragged away by security forces. his wife told the bbc he was arrested by military police at his office. the former army commander a onetime friend of the president's was defeated in elections two weeks ago. our correspondent says it is a dramatic turn of events. >> i've been talking to the leader of the sri lanka muslim congress, where the opposition parties that supported general sarath fonseka. were having a meeting around 9:00 this evening. said a plethora of military officers came in and demanded the other politicians leave the room.

they refused. then they told him he was under arrest. he said for what reason, and basically, they forced him, dragged him from the room by his hands and feet as he resisted and struggled against them. mr. hakim says he saw one blows struck against the general. of course, i was not there myself. i cannot verify that. but i was writing down what he was saying to me. he called this a very severe bleeding and disgusting manner in which the authorities treated the defeated presidential candidate, who was an ally of the president until recently. he said they were incoherent when i asked to give the reasons for -- when i asked to give the reasons for taking general sarath fonseka. he has been taken. i was speaking to a senior defense official who has indeed said that general fonseka is

going to be charged by a military court and charged with having dabbled in politics while a military chief, which was until november. this is something general fonseka denies. he denies he has broken rules. >> charles havilland for us in columbus. one of britain's most senior police officers had been jailed for four years for assaulting a man and trying to frame him in a scheme over money. he is described as "a criminal in uniform." he arrested his friend on a series of false allegations and fake an injury, saying he was attacked. toyota is said to be on the verge of recalling 300,000 of the latest prius hybrids for brake problems. a group of german pensioners has been in court for allegedly

kidnapping be financial adviser they hold responsible for losing their savings. 2.5 million euros of theirs and disappeared into the u.s. housing market. we have this. >> all smiles and in court, that these pensioners are on trial, accused of kidnapping their financial adviser and holding him hostage. the motive -- at 2.5 million euro investment that turned sour. the man who claims to be there at them is in court, too. >> i really cannot understand why they are angry with me. >> the financial adviser's ordeal began at his home town. that is where the irate pensioners and abducted him, prosecutors say. they say he was tied up, dad, put in a box in the boot of a car.

he was then taken to a lake. he was allegedly taken into this house and locked in a cellar for four days. during that time, the kidnappers tried to pressure their prisoner into returning their investments. the financial adviser reportedly agreed to send a fax to switzerland, authorizing payment. but in the text managed to conceal the phrase "call the police." the alarm was raised. police stormed the house and rescue him. the state pop opera -- the state prosecutor says if found guilty, the defendants face between five and 15 years in prison. in court, the pensioners accused their financial adviser of taking them for a ride. they blame him for their losses. they avoided using the word "kidnapped." the only way to treat their guests for a couple days' holiday in bavaria.

bbc news, berlin. >> thank you for being with us. just a reminder -- you can get more on all the testers at any time at our web site -- bbc.com. in particular, reports from the ukraine and the picture from their russian-speaking crimea -- crimea peninsula which is solidly backing viktor yanukovych . is on bbc.com/news. you are watching "bbc world news." still to come 40 -- embracing the new mcitaly. critics are battling a nasty bout of indigestion. >> and now for quick look as some of the stories catching your attention on the bbc website. a colony of galapagos sea lions have slumped 1,500 kilometers to northern peru and because of rising sea temperatures. is the first time they punted

outside the islands. at -- it is the first time they have hunted outside the islands. the music video for simon cowell's charity single is released. at the track was recorded in los angeles and london and features rod stewart. the old saying the customer is always right does not apply in france. our correspondent tells us that while she was hobbling with a broken leg, taxi drivers refuse to pick her up in case her cast damaged their paint work. do check it out. >> the latest headlines this hour on "bbc world news." michael jackson's doctor pled guilty to a charge of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the singer's death. bail has been set at $75,000. ukraine has turned its back --

yes the story. turned its gaze towards russia. france and the u.s. have endorsed strong new international sanctions against iran. iran has announced it will be enriching uranium to a higher grade and plans to build more enrichment plants next year. we have this. >> almost by the day, iran is stepping up the pace of its nuclear confrontation with the west. president ahmenijad it was at a laser exhibition -- another technology with links to the nuclear program. enounced iran was stepping up the level of uranium enrichment to 20%. closer to weapons grade. president ahmenijad said iran needed the higher grade uranium to fuel at tehran research reactor. it is thought that iran will not have the know-how to produce

workable fuel rods. they have also announced they will go ahead next year to build 10 more uranium plants like this one. western observers said that as well be impractical. there is still mounting concern. >> when you have to worry about this technology drive creates the capability to make a weapon quickly. at that point, the leadership comes in and says, ok, we will do it now. they do it quickly and there's no time to stop it. >> the emphasis in washington is on new sanctions in response to the nuclear program. but with opposition demonstrations continuing, there is a a growing body of opinion calling for a new approach. >> what i'm suggesting -- in a sense, we no longer put the nuclear negotiations at the forefront of policy, but rather but the question of what outsiders can do to help bring

political change in iran back to the fore. >> president obama may be thinking anything he does about iran could be counterproductive, whether increased pressure concerning the nuclear issue or any sign of support for the opposition. president ahmenijad has seized on those as evidence that the west is lined up against them. these opposition supporters broadcast each week from new york. the program is called and put the week in green." they are watching intently the reaction in the last. >> any belligerent, economic sanctions, or -- god forbid -- military strike, it is absolutely detrimental to the green movement. >> on the anniversary of the revolution thursday, a major demonstrations are expected. is a tense situation, affecting iran is domestic, foreign, and nuclear policy.

abc news, washington. >> italy has its teeth and stepped into a super sized route over a burger. the mcdonald's mcitaly. some say it is up the trail of tradition because it is being promoted by the government as the new face of italian cooking. we have this from rahm. >> in the land of past that and he said, they want you to think -- pasta and pizza, they want you to think inside the box. feast your eyes. it is creating a clash. this is because the italian government has endorsed the mcitaly, a concoction of beef, asiago cheese, and artichokes. >> it does not belong to our culture.

we brought it. it is not battalion at all. >> but italy's agricultural minister is now touring mcdonald's restaurants, defending the all-italian burger. he says it is not an affront to the country's culinary traditions. >> these are the same critics who 20 years ago said pizza was not real italian food. now pizza is a high-quality product oliver europe. not everyone has the privilege or time to eat at 5-star restaurants. this is healthy fast food. >> mcdonald's is currently selling iran 100,000 of the sandwiches every day -- around 100,000 of these sandwiches every day. they say it is not about culture. it is about taste. mcdonald's also says anyone who says that food is a quick way to destroy italy's image is just

wrong. >> we are helping italians know more about high-quality things. we are helping more and more young people know about high- quality italian ingredients. >> the customers of this mcdonalds in rome did seem a little surprised there -- their meal was being wrapped in a flag-waving exercise. >> [laughter] as far as a doll does -- it was fine. >> i actually do not believe [unintelligible] >> one critic says the mcitaly was up and put on monstrous ask of -- monstrous act of national the trail." one thing is certain -- the feeding frenzy has left a bitter

taste in the mouth. >> the kenyan government is planning to build a new port, expected to become the busiest in east africa and the vital trade routes. but the northern coast is one of the region's most beautiful and unspoiled environment. from there, our east africa correspondent. >> the was a time centuries ago, when the city was all-powerful. the young state dominated the trade in ivory, gold, and slaves. now, kenya looks to restore the power. some are excited by the pop opportunity. -- by the opportunity. >> we have to open our minds now. open our eyes. make sure we send our kids. they get a better education. so tomorrow, we can put our

people on more important posts. >> so past the mangroves and the coral reefs -- some of the world's biggest ships. they're already talking about financing a engineering with chinese companies. the cost will be over $300 billion. it will eventually leave the port pressure which is badly overstretched. >> it will provide of vital second carter to countries like uganda and burundi, and it will be an umbilical cord just to the north. >> and as long as the peak, forgotten corner of the country -- that is what is said will ultimately save the region. >> the government does not supporters in anything. now they will support us.

we have something that will generate income. >> the fishing here is good. when there is no fish, there are tours. -- tourists. they do not know they will get the jobs that will come with the port. >> especially the government -- ok, so it is not true. most people from this community need education. they totally missed education. >> that is one reason students here are so focused. state education barely teaches children to read or write. it will set up their own institution to give them skills and values. but it is feared that will not

be enough to protect them from the influence of drugs and prostitution the port will inevitably bring. they say it cannot survive with its culture intact. the buildings in the streets will be here, but the community will vanish. the locals have managed to hold onto much of what makes this place unique. with the inevitable and flows of chinese engineers, corporate and sons, and heavy shipping, it is feared that it will become an exotic theme park. the government has not set a timetable yet. change is on its way, for better or for worse. bbc news, kenya. >> just briefly -- tourists heading for the observation deck of the world's tallest tower have been left disappointed in

dubai. the view has been attracting thousands of tourists, but the observation deck has been closed indefinitely to the public because of electrical problems. dubai is struggling to revive its image amid nagging questions about its financial health. just a reminder of our top story -- michael jackson's former doctor has pled not guilty to charges of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the singer's death last june. his bail was set at 7 and up -- $75,000. >> funding was made possible by the freeman undation of new york, stowe, vermont, and honolulu. the newman's own foundation. the john d. and catherine t. macarthur foundation. and union bank. >> union bank has put its global

>> and union bank has put its global wide range of companies. what can we do for you? >> i'm julia stiles. >> i'm kevin bacon. >> i'm kim cattrall. >> hi, i'm ken burns. >> i'm lili taylor. and public broadcasting is my source for news about the world. >> for intelligent conversation. >> for election coverage you can count on. >> for conversations beyond the sound bites. >> a commitment to journalism. >> for deciding who to vote for. public broadcasting is my source my community. >> "bbc world news" was presented by kcet, los angeles.